Traffic tip: Don't drive on city property

June 4, 2011 at 1:04 a.m.

This week's tip is a city ordinance violation

Sec. 17-2. - Operation of vehicles.

It shall be unlawful for any person other than a person acting on behalf of the city to operate, drive, ride, park or propel any bicycle, electric bicycle, motorbike, minibike, motor assisted scooter, motorcycle, moped, pocket bike, minimotorbike, or motor vehicle (as defined in Texas Transportation Code, Title 7, Chapter 551) on all city property except on public streets or along or upon parking areas designated by the city manager or designee.

Excepted from the provision of this section are electric personal assistive mobility devices in addition to the operation of a golf cart specifically on the grounds known as Riverside Golf Course and bicycles on the hike and bike trail system.

Why the emphasis on this particular city ordinance?

We are seeing an increase in people disregarding the city ordinance, about not parking on the grass, and it has become an issue again.

"There are signs posted at each entrance to Riverside Park advising you that parking on the grass is prohibited, just like there are park curfew signs posted in the same manner."

Many years ago when Riverside Park in particular was used more than it is today, this parking/driving on the grass was a big issue. Some of you old enough to remember back 20 years ago will remember how many people (hundreds) would flood the park every Saturday and Sunday. There were even signs posted altering the flow of traffic to basically one way to keep the volume of traffic flowing out of the park instead of the continuous loop around. Riverside Park became the strip like in the movie "American Graffiti" where everybody wanted to be seen, and everybody went to "cruise."

Many people would park and drive off of the roadways, creating ruts and damaging large areas of the parks grassy areas. This cost taxpayers money in terms of repair and diverted the city's parks crews away from other projects after each weekend.

There was even some criminal activity in the grassy areas where people could hide behind vehicles or in them. The police would have to frequent the park on weekends to make sure everyone could enjoy themselves in a peaceful, quiet family atmosphere.

In order to keep our city's parks safe, the Victoria Police Department enforces all the city's ordinances whenever possible. Citations and written warnings are a means to identify incorrect behavior and change that behavior, so all of us who live in Victoria can enjoy our parks.

The Victoria Police Department Traffic Safety Unit reminds you to drive safe. The life you save may be your own.